SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A South Portland man is in serious condition at Maine Medical Center after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Western Avenue on Christmas Eve.

According to a news release issued by Lt. Thomas Simonds of the South Portland Police Department on Tuesday night, the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. in the area of 85 Western Ave.

Simonds reported that pedestrian Christopher Ayotte, 37, of South Portland was making his way across from the Western Avenue Crossing retail complex toward the Maine Air National Guard facility “and either stepped from or slipped from a nonpedestrian traffic island” and was hit by an oncoming vehicle on its way toward Interstate 295.

Ayotte was listed in serious condition Wednesday afternoon, according to a nursing supervisor at Maine Medical Center.

Story continues below advertisement.

The driver of the car was identified by police as Timothy Eisenhart, 42, of Portland. Simonds said in his Tuesday night release that Eisenhart was not injured in the crash, and that neither speed nor alcohol appear to have been factors in the accident.

The crash remains under investigation, however, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the reconstruction of the accident, according to Simonds.